MODEL FARMS. 587 



MODEL FARMS. 



THERE are many farmers who are strongly prejudiced against scientific farming, or, 

 what they term &quot;book-farming,&quot; regarding it as pertaining more to a mere theory 

 than utility in practice. They consider all who favor it as visionaries, the old 

 methods as supreme, and all attempts towards an innovation as fanciful and unprofitable 

 schemes. It will invariably be found that those who are the most strongly opposed to scien 

 tific agriculture are the most ignorant concerning it. To be sure, mere scientific knowledge 

 is not by any means all that is necessary in successful farming. Theory is important as far 

 as it goes, but the art is fully as essential; and when we have the two combined, viz., the 

 science and art of agriculture, or, in other words, when we have the skill to put in most suc 

 cessful practice the knowledge that science bestows, it is then that we have a complete union, 

 and the highest standard attained in agricultural achievements. 



But what is scientific agriculture of which we hear so much, and unfortunately see 

 so little? Science, literally, means knowledge, and when used in connection with agriculture, 

 it means no less. 



Scientific agriculture, therefore, means the employment of that knowledge obtained from 

 Nature s vast laboratory, of her forces, and her laws, in the practical art of farming. 



But why should we not make use of the aid which science gives? &quot;Why refuse any 

 assistance that will give us a more perfect knowledge of the elements with which we have to 

 deal? It is a fact that there is no business whatever that requires such a varied and accu 

 rate knowledge and observation of Nature s laws, as farming; neither is there any business 

 that calls into exercise more frequently that faculty that is usually denominated &quot; practical 

 common sense.&quot; 



No one can deny but that the manufacturer is enabled to make vastly larger profits by 

 the aid of science, and conforming his labors to scientific principles, and why not the farmer 

 as well? 



We do not claim that farming can be reduced to a science as exact as that of mathe 

 matics or mechanics, for there are too many varying influences over which the farmer has no 

 control, to admit of it, such as the heat and cold, rain and sunshine, etc., but we do claim 

 that the highest attainments in this direction are reached only through the knowledge imparted 

 by science. Those farmers, therefore, who reduce their practice to the most intelligent sys 

 tem, will, other conditions being equal, be the most successful. The best methods, when 

 properly put in practice, will always be found the most profitable. To show some of the 

 improved methods of scientific farming, and the results of such practice, we give a descrip. 

 tion of what might be called a few of the model farms of the country. It will be noticed 

 that in every instance of improved farming, the most careful attention is paid to cleanliness 

 in every respect, including pure air, pure water, clean food of proper quality and quantity, 

 etc. ; the health of the animals being taken into consideration, as well as the quality of the 

 breed. 



Echo Farm. This noted farm, formerly the property of F. R. Starr, but more 

 recently that of the Echo Farm Company, is located about a mile eastward of Litchfield. The 

 description given of it by a visitor is as follows: &quot; This farm, with its group of neat build 

 ings and patriotic flagstaff, crowns a hill some sixty feet higher than the ridge upon which 

 the village is situated, making it nearly 1,300 feet above the sea-level. Mr. Starr, having 

 impaired his health by too close confinement to business, after spending some time in trav 

 eling both in this country and in Europe, was attracted to this spot on account of its salubri- 

 ousness and its proximity to the pleasant village of Litchfield. His original purchase of 

 sixty-six acres was made merely with a view of securing a summer residence, and without 



